Yes, it is compulsory, and your employer cannot object. Please note that your employer cannot reduce your salary if you are called away from your place of work to attend court as a witness. You must not suffer any financial loss as a result of your absence.

Persons alleging to have suffered physical, psychological, or sexual harm and called to testify or to be heard for information purposes may be accompanied by a confidant. They may also be assisted by a counsel of their choice. They have the right to refuse to answer questions concerning their private life, and to be heard in the absence of the parties.

Yes, you are obliged to come to the hearing. If you live in another canton or abroad, this is no excuse for not attending the hearing.

The duration of the hearing varies from ten minutes to several hours, depending on your knowledge of the facts and the usefulness of your testimony. If your hearing is prolonged, the judge / prosecutor (in charge of the case) may decide to call you to a new hearing, to proceed with the rest of your testimony.

You do not need to be supported by a lawyer.

You can validly address your appeal to the court:

• By post
• By depositing it at the court desk, during opening hours or by depositing it at the Greffe universel

An appeal sent by e-mail to the Tribunal administratif de première instance, is not admitted.

The appeal and its documents are sent or filed with the court in as many copies as there are parties to the proceedings, plus one copy for the court.

Yes, unless the court orders the hearing to be held in camera.

If your resources are insufficient to defend your interests in court, you may, under certain conditions, be eligible for legal aid. This financial aid is not free of charge.

It consists mainly of partial or total payment of lawyers' fees and legal costs for people who do not have the necessary means to pay them. You will have to reimburse it as soon as you are able to do so.

For more information, consult the thematic guide Legal aid